Trade bandh against entry tax on textile items

GUWAHATI, Dec 17: Assam Textile Merchants’ Association (ATMA) will observe All Assam trade bandh on December 22 in protest against the four-fold hike in entry tax on textile goods. Entry tax on textile items have been increased from 1 per to 4 per cent since last September this year. The protest will be followed by a dharna on the same day at Dispur Last Gate. A memorandum will also be submitted to the Sale Tax Commissioner in this regard, said ATMA secretary Arvind Kejriwal in a press meet here today.

On behalf of the association, Kejriwal said despite of their repeated request for the waiver of the 1 per cent entry tax on textile items in larger interest of the people of Assam, the Government has increased it four times since September this year leading to rise in prices of clothes. The association said entry tax is not applicable in rest of the north-eastern States and neighbouring West Bengal. “So there is probability to shift this trade to those States, and if the traders shift there, the Government of Assam will be a looser in a big way,” he said. The association has already submitted a memorandum to the authorities concerned, including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, in this regard. The bandh has been supported by almost all the trade associations and organizations of the State, including Assam Chambers of Commerce, Kamrup Chamber of Commerce and others, said Kejriwal. THE SENTINEL